To find colleges that are a good fit, you need to learn about the
factors that can influence your experience in and out of the
classroom. Develop your personal list of college search criteria
to find the best colleges for you.

A better search strategy will give you better results! Whether
you want information about colleges you think are a good fit, or
you want to find new colleges that are right for you, we have the
tips to get you started and the tools to finish the job

To find colleges that are a good fit, you need to learn about the factors that can influence your experience in and out of the classroom. Develop your personal list of college search criteria to find the best colleges for you.

A better search strategy will give you better results! Whether you want information about colleges you think are a good fit, or you want to find new colleges that are right for you, we have the tips to get you started and the tools to finish the job.

Expert
Advice

When you apply to college, planning and attention to detail really matter! Check out our advice on getting organized, how to make your college applications stand out, and what to do when decisions arrive.

When you apply to college, planning and attention to detail really matter! Check out our advice on getting organized, how to make your college applications stand out, and what to do when decisions arrive.

Opening Your First Checking Account

Opening a checking account is one of life's milestones. In spite of the wide use of credit, there are many situations where only a check will do. Here are some guidelines for opening your college checking account.

Opening a Checking Account

Opening a checking account is not difficult. You'll need to fill out the bank's forms and deposit some money.
Most banks request a Social Security Number, but some allow for alternative forms of identification.

When you open your account, the bank will issue you temporary checks, which do not show your contact information.
When using these checks, you'll need to write your name and address on each check as you use it. You will usually order printed checks at the time you open your account, because many merchants will not accept temporary checks.
Most banks will also give you an ATM card, so you can get cash and make deposits at the bank's ATMs.

Checking Accounts with Debit Cards

The bank may also offer you a "debit" card, which you can use to make purchases from merchants that accept them. Unlike credit cards, which you pay when you get a statement of your charges, the debit card charge is deducted from your checking account within a few days. Debit cards can be a useful consumer tool for students since they allow convenient cash-based spending. Plus they provide the student with a spending record of where that cash went. Find out more about debit cards in the CollegeData article Using a Debit Card.

The Right Way to Write Checks

When writing a check, fill in all of the blank spaces and draw a line through any unused spaces. Be sure to write the check amount both as a number ($25.00) and spelled-out (twenty-five dollars). Always sign your checks as you write them. Never sign a blank check. If you make a mistake while writing a check, write "VOID" in large letters across the check, note the voided check in your checkbook, tear up and dispose of the check so that no one else will be able to use it, and write a new check.

Protect Yourself from Overdraft Charges

Once you begin writing checks or using your debit card, consider recording every check amount, deposit, and debit (withdrawal) in your check register. That way you can more easily reconcile your monthly statement from the bank with your own running balance. Both banks and merchants can charge you fees for bouncing a check or using your debit card with insufficient funds in your account. You can arrange for overdraft (bounced check) protection at your bank. This provides an automatic loan or transfer of money from your savings account to cover any overdrawn amount. You usually pay a fee for this service, but at least your check won't bounce.

Information in this article is of a general nature. It is provided by COLLEGEdata for educational purposes only and may not apply to you or your situation. Please consult a financial or legal advisor before acting on such information. COLLEGEdata is a service of 1st Financial Bank USA, a provider of financial services.

Ways to earn COLLEGEdata Dollars:

Complete your Admissions Profile.

Add colleges to your College Choices.

Update your Admissions Statuses.

Use the College Match tool.

What are COLLEGEdata Dollars (CD$)?

COLLEGEdata Dollars (CD$) are points you earn by completing certain COLLEGEdata activities. The maximum number of CD$ you can redeem is 5000. Once you have earned at least 2500 CD$, you can redeem them for $25, which will be provided to you on a Loyalty Card, and once you earn another 2500 CD$, you can redeem those CD$ for a second $25, which will also be provided to you on a Loyalty Card.

Earn points and redeem them for U.S. Dollars

Complete certain COLLEGEdata activities (for example, signing up, starting your Admissions Profile, searching for colleges, calculating your chances for admission, searching for scholarships, updating your Profile with your admission decisions). Each activity is worth a specific amount of points (CD$). You can redeem the points you earn for U.S. Dollars that will be issued to you in the form of a 1st Financial Bank USA Loyalty Mastercard®.

How do I earn COLLEGEdata Dollars?

You can earn CD$ by completing certain COLLEGEdata activities. As soon as you sign up and activate your COLLEGEdata account, explore COLLEGEdata and begin completing COLLEGEdata activities to earn points.

Here is a full list of COLLEGEdata activities for which you may earn CD$ and the number of CD$ you can earn by completing each activity.*

Activity

CD$

* CD$ you earn will expire if your CD$ Program account is inactive. An account will be inactive if no CD$ are earned and no CD$ are redeemed in any 12 consecutive calendar month period.

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Congratulations!

+ CD$

You just earned COLLEGEdata Dollars!

Check your CD$ Dashboard at the bottom of the page to view your CD$ balance, find other activities that you can complete to earn CD$, and redeem the CD$ you have earned for U.S. Dollars.